Block-making machine



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BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16. 1926 2 heets-Sheet 2 u n 1"! M M Q if I l I I l l l l l I i l h H I n In l HI m;

Pmnaa Dec. 6, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

MOIS J. STBAUB, NEW KENSINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

BLOCK-ultimo macnnm.

Application med November 16, 1926. Serial Ho.-148,681.

This invention relates to improvements in block forming machinery for the manufacture ofconcrete blocks and similar articles. It has for its object to produce a block hav-. ing a finished or trowelled face, by means of vibrating or reciprocatingmovement of one of the molding surfaces during manufacture in the usual molding and pressing machine. It relates particularly to the construction of a single block machine, one of the side walls of which is actuated to produce such efiect in the mannermore fully hereinafter described.

The invention in certain respects is generally similar to that of' a companion application Serial No. 148,674, filed Nov. 16,1926,

and operates accordingto the method described in my companion application, Ser. No. 148,675, filed Nov. 16, 1926 (B).: i

In the drawings, showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 'is a part plan part horizontal section on the line I-I ofFig. 2;

Fi 2 is a central vertical section on line 11- I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the rocker arm cross head for actuating the movable side plate;

Fi 4 is a sectional detail View on the line V-IV of Fig. -1;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail view on the line VV of Fig. 4.

The mold 2 of the machine is mounted on frame 3, and is provided with the usual core bridge 4, cores 5, and tamps 6, of usual construction except as to the modification in the movable mold wallhereinafter described.

The usual block supporting pallet 7 is lifted upwardly by ejecting rods 8 in the usual way, after the block is tamped, and pressed on its upper surface, in final form. Such final ressing is'eflcted by means of an adjusta 1e 'presser plate 9, pivotally mounted byits frame at 10 on the inner side construction. In making ordinary blocks in such a machine, the. hopper 11 is moved to bring its discharge opening 12 in registering position over themold 2, and the aggregate is delivered thereinto dur' operation of the tamps. When the mold is sufiicientl filled and tamped, the hopper is moved bac wardout of register, the presser late 9 is of the movablehopper 11, of well "known.

1 thrown down into the upper portion of the 'ated spring mold, and the upper face of the block is finished by action of the temps thereon, in the same general manner as is described in a companion application Serial No. 148,678, filed Nov. 16, 1926 (F).

In the general construction and operation,

the machine is of usual standard construction, except that one of the side walls of the mold 2 is movable, in the form of a longitudinally reciprocable plate 13. Plate. 13 rests by its lower edge on the bottom plate 4, and lies against the outer side extensions- 14 of the mold, with sufficient overlap and clearance to always maintain a closure during longitudinal reciprocation.

For the purpose of maintaining the movable plate in close engagement against such portions, so as to continuously maintain a side defining wall, bearing rollers 15 are provided, engaging each opposite end of the plate, between which and the mold extensions 14 the plate moves.

Rollers 15 are sleeved on spindles 16'carried by a middle inwardly extending plate or frame 17 mounted midway of the \height of brackets 18. The brackets are fixedly secured by flange 19 to the inwardly extend ing flange or web 20 of the mold, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

As thus arranged, the rollers 15, which are preferably arranged in airs, one above and one below the holding p ate 17 are held firmly against substantially the full depth of the plate 13 at each end, so that as it is moved backwardly and forwardly, the rollers will maintain a good anti-friction bearing pressure, holding the plate in close en gagement with the mold.

' The plate 17 has a broad substantial bearing between cheeks 37 of bracket 19 so that it will always maintain the roller spindle 16 vertical against deflection, ensuring free longitudinal movement of the side plate 13.

For the purpose of actuating the plate 13, it is provided with a cylindrical cross head 21 mounted within an inwardly extending cylindrical'housing box 22 of the plate, for

free sliding movement therein.

Cross head 21 is engaged by the cylindrical terminal 23 of crank arm 24 pivotally mounted by stud 25 inbearing 26 of themachine. Arm 24 is provided with a lever ex tension 27 engaged at one side by a gradu 28 and at the other by a positively actuating plunger 29.

tion plate during forward Said plunger is subject to the impelling action of a cam or eccentric 30. Said element, with suitable ball bearings and proper lubrication is mounted for rotation on shaft 31, extending from gear box 32 to bearing 33 for the outer end of the shaft and for plunger 29.

A motor M transmits movement through its shaft and worm or other suitable gearing in gear box 32 at the desired speed to shaft 31 and the eccentric. Spring 28 is capable of accurate adjustment of its tension by a temper screw 34, and with the proper adjustment thereof, the movement of the eccentric at the proper speed will effect rapid alternating or reciprocatory motion to plate 13 during operation of the motor.

Cross head 21, as shown in Fig. 3, cmbraces terminal 23 and has an easy sliding in and out movement within its lubricated box 22, such movement being comparatively short, as regulated by the actuating eccentric.

The resulting effect of the movement of plate 13 is to impart to the face of the block in formation a trowelling or smoothing action by the vibration of the plate, tending to effect greater density of the aggregate by collecting the particles and effecting flow of the suspended liquid in the same manner as is generally practiced in trowelling mortar.

The desired eifect is best accomplished by continuing the reciprocation of the partiejection of the block, so that, upon arriving at the raised position, it may be carried away on the usual pallet 7 for drying and storage.

The actuating mechanism and its driving motor just described, are preferably enclosed within an outer casing 35 and a cover plate 36. The latter may also be utilized as a. floor for mounting of the movable hopper, with suitable trackways, etc., and as thus arranged, the entire'interior mechanism is protected from entrance of aggregate or other foreign matter.

The construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description by all those familiar with this class of mechanism.

The bottom plate 4. being lowered and pallet 7 being placed thereon, as in Fig. 2, the mold cavity is filled with aggregate from the hopper, then tamped and pressed, with al upward ejection of the block.

. During the whole operation, the movable side wall 13 is reciprocated, so that the contacting face of the block receives the desired smoot ing and condensing treatment.

The resulting blocks, when hardened, present a comparatively smooth, dense, and hard surface, well adapted for outside exposure in building walls or the like, while the remaining ortions of the block are of the usual rougi porous consistency.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by all those accustomed to the use of similar machines, and it greatly improves the making of concrete blocks, either of the usual aggregate or any special mixture, as a cinders and ashes aggregate like that of my prior Patent No. 1,212,840.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine, a reciprocable plate, means providing rolling outer side of the plate, and means for moving the plate.

2. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine, a reciprocable plate having an outer middle housing, a cross head therein, and means engaging the housing for reciprocating the plate.

3. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine, a reciprocable plate having an 'outer middle housing, a cross head therein, a lever, and motor riven eccentric mechanism for actuating the lever.

4-. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine, a reciprocable plate having an outer middle housing, a cross head therein, a lever, motor driven eccentric mechanism for actuating the lever, and a retracting spring for the lever.

5. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine having extended bracket supporting arms, a movable side plate, means for reciprocating the plate, pressure resisting brackets on said supporting arms, and rollers between said brackets and the plate.

6. In combination with an open side mold of a block machine having extended bracket supporting arms, a movable side plate, means for reciprocating the plate, pressure resisting brackets on said supporting arms, and rollers between said brackets and the plate provided with a supporting plate slidably mounted in the bracket.-

7. In an open sided mold as described, angular extensions of the end walls thereof at each end, a horizontally slotted bracket on each of said extensions, a relatively movable plate therein having a vertical stem, and rollers on said stem between the mold extension and the bracket.

8. In combination, an open sided mold having a reciprocable, side wall, means for filling, tamping and ejecting material in said mold, and means for reciprocating the side wall during tamping and ejecting.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

FRANCIS J. STRAUB.

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